Is Apple's iPad any good for working on the go? We put the slate PC to the test on a five-day business trip
Strengths
Using the iPad as my main computer wasn't all bad. The device has its strengths too.
Lightweight and convenient at airports and in the air
The iPad weighs just over half a kilo, and it's smaller than a large A4 notepad.
In comparison, the 15in MacBook Pro is 3.75 times heavier than the iPad, and it's bigger and bulkier too.
The iPad is easy to carry through the airport.
Because it's so small and light, and starts up immediately, it's easy to just whip it out and do a little work when you have a few minutes of downtime.
With a laptop computer, you have to find a place to sit and wait for it to boot up, but with the iPad, you're good to go in seconds.
The iPad is more comfortable than a laptop to use at the airport. I've never really liked balancing a notebook on my lap, but with an iPad, it seems natural.
It also fits on the tray table at your airplane seat much more easily than a full-size laptop does.
Also, when it's time to shut down and put away your electronic devices, you can do that in less than a second with the iPad.
Fantastic battery life and reliable connectivity
My travel took me halfway across the country, from San Diego to Iowa.
After 11 hours of hard (but not continuous) use on the trip out, including watching quite a bit of video, my iPad's battery still had a 36 percent charge on it.
A laptop computer would have been completely dead in half that time.
Although I don't have 3G connectivity on my iPad - I didn't find connectivity to be a problem.
I spent just about all of my time using the iPad on the trip in offices, hotels and airports, where you can count on finding Wi-Fi.
Still, I do recommend that if you want an iPad and haven't gotten one already, opt for the 3G model. But even us Wi-Fi-only users will be happy.
Amazingly, I was able to watch an entire streaming movie on Netflix on the plane ride home, using onboard Wi-Fi.
It was a Delta flight, and the 90 minute movie paused only twice, for a few seconds each time.
NEXT PAGE: Great for the hotel room
Comments
Matt Egan - Editor said: As PC Advisor forum users know were in the process of looking at the site layout and will be making improvements soon If you like to offer us your considered feedback perhaps something more constructive than this is rubbish contribute to this forum thread bitly98VALa or email me - in the meant time lets try to keep this discussion about the Apple iPad Thanks
Your layout is embarassing said: Why would I take tech advice from people who cant even build a webpage in a sensible way It is just ugly not very user friendly and so on If you cant manage this and if this disorganised pile is indicative of the orderliness of your brain and other daily functions then your advice cannot be trusted
Geo Lenker said: I think it depends on the type of work one does A writereditor like myself for example doesnt need a lot of extra apps besides basic WP ones I havent road tested it yet beyond a day but I see no problem going a week with just my 3G iPad when Im on the road
hoppy said: I agree Conal and im fed up hearing Apple fanatics banging on about how the i phone was laughed at when it first came out and how wrong the critics wereThere is a difference thoughthe i phone served a purpose but the i pad will go down as one of the most pointless waste of components ever that was loved by rich fanatic Apple drones and generally ignored by people who want to do things that matter with their technology I await the pad pretentious apple drones replies
Conal said: Yes the ipad is amazing Sometimes I ask myself Why Whats the point in it No it wont compete with a laptop or pc and it never will Its for people with more money than brains if you ask me o and it only costs apple 230 pound to make it And they re selling it for 429 Yea right apple
Nour said: It doesnt have a flash player
Steve G said: Sort your page design out l totally object to have to click through an avert to read another small section of an article -a very informative article Carry on with this type of format and watch your hit rate fall
Al said: Sounds like a pile of poo really Lack of multi-tasking sensible file system format support It really is just an entertainment device an additional gizmo to carry around and all the Apple lovers rush to buy one just because its Apple and so they can look good Theres a hole in the market for and all functioning tablet
harry london said: Nice little article Lousiest page design ever put me off blackberry
Tim Staffell said: This is exactly or nearly what I wanted to know about the iPad I dont want an entertainment device entertainment is baloney I want a working device and this sounds as though its not really there the pad format is good the startup time is good - the apps driven format is not In my view this is a portable entertainment device I will have to look elsewhere for what I need
Paul said: I cant stand the page layout of this and many other computing web sites You barely get to read anything before you have to click on page 2 page 3 etc Consider the reader and not just your format
mypad said: No one can notcheck out stg interesting buzzintechnologycom201004t